Latest news with #OmanChamberofCommerceandIndustry
Observer
a day ago
- Business
- Observer
OCCI participates in Iraqi Franchise Expo in Baghdad
BAGHDAD: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) is taking part in the second edition of the Iraqi Franchise Expo in Baghdad. OCCI delegation is led by Eng Hamoud bin Salim al Saadi, Second Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of OCCI Commercial Franchise Centre Committee. Two franchise agreements were inked by Omani franchise firms during the first day of the exhibition. The first agreement was signed by Mohammed bin Sagheer bin Qassim al Maamari, owner of the 'Brothers of Silver' brand. The second agreement was signed by Issa bin Saleh al Aghbari, owner of the Omani brand 'Seven Fries'. The OCCI's pavilion at the expo featured more than 15 leading Omani brands that seek to explore franchising opportunities and enter the Iraqi market. — ONA
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman's presence at Expo Osaka to boost Japanese tourism
Undoubtedly, significant efforts have been made to ensure the country's participation in the international expo currently being held in Osaka, Japan. The expo began on April 13, 2025, and will continue until October 13, 2025. Several government agencies, along with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have contributed to the financial cost of sponsoring Oman's presence at this global event, which is held every five years. Several government delegations have also contributed to organizing the expo and made official visits. Recently, an Omani trade delegation from the Chamber participated in this expo and some of its important activities. The Sultanate of Oman has consistently participated in this international event since the nineties of the last century. Its first participation was at the Expo International Exhibition in Madrid, Spain, in 1992. The expo's theme was "The Global Age of Transportation," given the importance of transportation in bringing peoples together and driving human progress. The expo highlighted the transformation of transportation from ancient maritime routes to modern technology, while also showcasing countries' innovations in infrastructure, railways, aviation, and telecommunications. However, the Japan Expo, held on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka, Japan, is expected to attract millions of visitors, providing a unique global platform bringing together more than 160 countries and international organizations. Government institutions and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry are keen to raise awareness of the importance of these international exhibitions. This requires organizing media trips to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of this event. This requires sending more media professionals to discuss this participation and its benefits at the national level, as well as ways to promote Japanese tourism to Oman in the coming years, given the large number of Japanese tourists who travel to various countries around the world annually. Japanese tourists are among the most organized and detail-oriented, and these traits are reflected in their spending patterns and preferred destinations. The average tourist from Japan spends on tourism for example, in Indonesia, around $1,462 per visit in 2022, and approximately $1,300 per visit to cities in the United States. Japanese tourists stay for extended periods, typically about two weeks in the United States, more than 18 days in France, 12 days in Indonesia, and five days in Korea. Now with direct flights between some Gulf cities, such as Dubai and Doha, and other cities in the region, attracting Japanese tourism has become easier. However, it requires companies that can convince the Japanese public to make these visits to Oman, for example. Japanese tourists also prefer group trips, especially older travelers, due to their need for rest and organization, while young people are also eager to experience unique experiences. In general, such international exhibitions provide a great opportunity for countries to promote their national identity and build their image by showcasing their cultures and creativity, which contributes to strengthening their image on the international stage. Through this participation, Oman will work to foster greater cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals, enhancing economic and trade cooperation, and benefiting from future innovations and technologies. This presence at Expo Japan represents a strategic opportunity to enhance its international presence, expand economic and cultural relations, and contribute to building a sustainable and interconnected future, in addition to significantly promoting Japanese tourism to the country. HAIDER AL LAWATI The writer is a Muscat-based economic analyst who previously worked for CBO and OCCI
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Omani brand Seven Fries expands globally with first outlet in Iraq
Muscat – The Omani fast-food brand Seven Fries has marked a major milestone in its growth journey with the inauguration of its first international branch in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The outlet was officially opened on Wednesday by Eng Hamoud bin Salem al Saadi, Second Deputy Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Chairman of the Commercial Excellence Center Committee. The launch marks a significant achievement under OCCI's Commercial Excellence Programme, which supports the regional and international expansion of Omani businesses. Speaking at the event, Saadi emphasised the role of the OCCI's Franchise Programme in empowering Omani brands to compete beyond national borders. 'The programme has successfully enabled several companies to sign franchise agreements, boosting their competitiveness and facilitating expansion both locally and internationally,' he said. He added that the establishment of the Franchise Center under OCCI is a strategic step to ensure the programme's sustainability, providing specialised support to businesses and entrepreneurs and strengthening the overall franchising ecosystem in Oman. Issa bin Saleh al Aghbari, founder of Seven Fries, expressed pride in the brand's growing international footprint. Launched in 2021 in Seeb in Muscat, Seven Fries has quickly emerged as a flagship Omani brand in the franchising space. 'From the beginning, Seven Fries has been focused on delivering premium-quality fresh potato products. Our franchise model is designed to share this success with partners around the world,' Aghbari said. 'We are now preparing to enter new markets, particularly in the North Africa region and the United States.' The brand had already secured franchise agreements in Iraq, Pakistan, and an exclusive contract in India. Aghbari revealed ambitious expansion plans, including the launch of up to 300 branches in India. He also highlighted increasing interest from investors in the United States and other global markets, positioning Seven Fries as a new ambassador for Omani entrepreneurship on the world stage.
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Oman, East Africa explores investment opportunities
Muscat: The two-day Oman-East Africa Business Forum and East Africa Trade and Investment Exhibition 2025, organised by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Global Digital Technologies, began on Monday at St Regis Resort, Muscat. The forum and exhibition present the opportunity to exchange insights, explore investment opportunities, and establish trade partnerships that will help boost commercial exchange and diversify sources of income, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and the economic development goals of East African nations. Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said that hosting the forum and exhibition stems from the strong belief in the importance of building effective regional partnerships that contribute to sustainable development and open new avenues of cooperation in promising key sectors, including trade and investment, renewable energy, sustainable development, education and human capital development, fintech and digital transformation, infrastructure and logistics services, agribusiness and food security, and innovation. "The Omani–African relationship is not a product of today; rather, it is deeply rooted in history. Oman has been connected with East African nations through strong cultural and trade ties for centuries, during which commercial and knowledge exchanges flourished, fostering human and economic relationships that laid a solid foundation for long-standing cooperation. Today, we affirm that these relations are entering a new phase of growth and integration, guided by a clear vision for a shared economic future, backed by sincere political and diplomatic will, and driven by the private sector on both sides," Al Rawas said. Richard Ngatia, President, East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, said that East Africa is a dynamic region of over 400 million people with a population whose average age is around 22 – a huge asset in terms of human capital and market potential. Collectively, he pointed out that the economies have a GDP exceeding $300 billion and are growing steadily. "We are investing heavily in infrastructure and technology. New railways, expanded ports and widespread 4G/5G connectivity are opening the region and lowering the cost of doing business. Major multinationals have established regional hubs in East Africa, reflecting global confidence in our stability and potential. Ongoing reforms and regional integration efforts are further improving the business climate. In short, East Africa offers a youthful market, an improving business climate, and a strong commitment to openness – fertile ground for investment across many sectors," he said. Agriculture is the backbone of East Africa's economy, employing the majority of the people and contributing a large share of GDP. The region's lands produce crops and products such as tea, coffee, flowers, beef, avocados, frankincense (in Somalia), and more, that bring in much-needed foreign exchange. East Africa exported over 500 million kilogrammes of tea last year, with Kenya alone earning about $1.5 billion. Yet farming is often small-scale and rain-dependent, leaving the sector vulnerable to droughts and climate change, the chairman pointed out, adding, "Investment opportunities include irrigation and water management systems to support year-round farming, reducing dependence on unpredictable seasonal rains, and investing in machinery, storage and post-harvest processing technology to enable larger-scale, more efficient farming and cut post-harvest losses." "To truly prosper, East Africa must export finished goods, not just raw materials. Manufacturing today contributes only around 11% of our GDP and has stagnated – but we are determined to change that by attracting investment and diversifying our industrial base. Opportunities in manufacturing range from everyday consumer products to processed goods demanded by East Africa's growing middle class and across the region," he explained. In Rwanda, for instance, one can register a new business and obtain all required licences in a single day. Such reforms lower barriers to entry and encourage new factories. He said another asset of East Africa is its abundant mineral resources, from gold and gemstones to strategic 'green economy' minerals like cobalt and rare earth elements. The Democratic Republic of Congo, now part of the EAC, is the world's largest cobalt producer and holds huge reserves of copper, gold, diamonds, and other minerals. Tanzania is also a producer of gold, diamonds, and the rare tanzanite, while Uganda and Rwanda are exploring new deposits of lithium and tantalum. Burundi offers notable opportunities in gold, nickel and cobalt mining. South Sudan's emerging oil industry is holding significant reserves. "Yet much of this mineral wealth remains underdeveloped due to infrastructure and investment gaps. As global demand for critical minerals soars, East Africa's mining sector is poised for a transformative boom," he explained. Opportunities in mining include developing mines and processing facilities for high-demand resources such as cobalt, lithium, graphite and other battery metals essential to electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. He said East Africa has emerged as a leader in fintech and digital innovation on the continent with examples such as Kenya's M-PESA mobile money platform, revolutionising financial transactions.
Observer
19-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Workshop addresses draft commercial Law
MUSCAT: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, organised a workshop to discuss the draft Commercial Law and Commercial Transactions Law, as well as the draft Commercial Registry Law. This initiative falls within the OCCI efforts to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors in developing the legislative environment for the business sector in the Sultanate of Oman. — ONA
